Is a '52 Gibson L5 different compared to a '39

[rockincream]

Hi Guys

First of all, thanks for all whom will kindly leave your messages here, very much appreciated

Recently I am looking for a acoustic non-cutway L5 from late 30s-50s

I understand from the 39 onwards, some features has changes compares earlier versions, am really new to vintage L5s and the vintage market prices seems make the headache even more

A quick question, does or will a 52 non-cutway acoustic L5 has same features such a Bracing/Kerfing/Scale Length/Tone Woods? I understand there are Pre War and Post War things about these early hand carved acoustic flat and archtop guitars, the shortage of experienced luthier and supply of the tone woods market makes all different desirable factors to vintage collectors and reflecting the same on the price wise

I looked on the Reverb, there are currently few I like, a 39 Sunburst and 52 Nature all around 10K ranges ,and a 38 in great condition as it looks, asking 18K also a 58 Cut way with Dearmond pups slight higher 18.5K

The 38 and 52 has the looks I dig, but the price difference makes the 52 very attempting

Which one should I go for?

Thanks Again !

[citizenk74]

Hi Guys

First of all, thanks for all whom will kindly leave your messages here, very much appreciated

Recently I am looking for a acoustic non-cutway L5 from late 30s-50s

I understand from the 39 onwards, some features has changes compares earlier versions, am really new to vintage L5s and the vintage market prices seems make the headache even more

A quick question, does or will a 52 non-cutway acoustic L5 has same features such a Bracing/Kerfing/Scale Length/Tone Woods? I understand there are Pre War and Post War things about these early hand carved acoustic flat and archtop guitars, the shortage of experienced luthier and supply of the tone woods market makes all different desirable factors to vintage collectors and reflecting the same on the price wise

I looked on the Reverb, there are currently few I like, a 39 Sunburst and 52 Nature all around 10K ranges ,and a 38 in great condition as it looks, asking 18K also a 58 Cut way with Dearmond pups slight higher 18.5K

The 38 and 52 has the looks I dig, but the price difference makes the 52 very attempting

Which one should I go for?

Thanks Again !

[Stringswinger]

My experience playing old L-5's is that they vary quite a bit, even from the same year. Some are great, some are not. By the late 30's the large V necks should be gone, but I do not think the materials or construction changed that much between 39 and 52. Arguably the earlier guitar will have been built for more volume and cut as that was before widespread use of amplification, but I have played a few early 50's Gibson non-cut archtops that were very loud.

I would want to play before I bought or have an approval period for an acoustic L-5. It is an expensive purchase and you should get a guitar that you like and will inspire your playing. HTH.

[Dennis D]

Welcome !

There are threads here and contributors to them with really decent information. Maybe where you look will be as important as anything.
Where do you live ? There are some reputable sellers who don't go the Reverb route. You may have a go-to dealer in your back yard.

And somewhere in the list of top ten things to keep in mind - - there's a premium for natural finish, regardless of the era.

Then, as amplification ( meaning volume ) came into being and kept dictating performance, purely acoustic L-5's got more and more quiet - not louder. So yes bracing, kerfing, materials were at times changed, ( or not, knowing Gibson ) but through the years Gibson has seen fit to build acoustic guitars like ' fortresses', with the resultant volume being 'what it is'.

Anyway good luck with finding a keeper !! Hope this helps. Just MHO

Dennis

[KirkP]

If you review listings for non-cut 1939 - 1952 L-5s at the following site you won’t find many differences beyond cosmetics. But I’m sure there are differences in top and neck carving that may make every one sound and feel a little different.

site:archtop.com "L-5" - Google Search

Gibson changed the from X-bracing to parallel bracing around 1939, so that’s a consideration if you are considering guitars of that era.

[Woody Sound]

What about this one?

1946 Gibson L-5 Sunburst | UptownMusicNW | Reverb

[nopedals]

This is hard because how do you compare guitars. You would have to play them one after the other, and even then the brand and age of the strings could be a big factor.

That being said, IME the prewar guitars sound better. One possible factor: the adirondack spruce got used up due to WW2 aviation needs, and Gibson switched to sitka (Steinway switched to sitka soundboards at the same time).

[customxke]

I have a 55 non cut. When I received it, it had bronze 12s, and medium low action. I was not initially impressed, and figured that by the 50s, they had lost their magic. It kind of sounded like a quiet and dead flat-top. Not one to give up quickly on a guitar, I experimented with strings and action, and with Monel 13s, and medium high action, it came to life. It’s loud, percussive, and doesn't fart out when I lay into it. That's what I want out of my arch tops. Some guitars, from any era, are dogs, but most can be made into something decent with a little tweaking.

[ccroft]

I hope to be able to afford an instrument of this calibre one day. When that day comes I plan to take a little vacation to a city with a good array of archtops to choose from. Where I live there are very few, and little opportunity to play them. I'll consider the cost of the trip an investment in my education.

I bought 2 site unseen. Worked out well for me, but I was definitely on the low end of the $$ spectrum. I'd like to experience and learn about the more famous models on an intimate level. I'll admit to being a bit afraid of being spoiled, and will avoid that until I've got the cash to buy one.

I guess that's a wordy way to say the usual "Try before you buy." :-)

[rockincream]

exactly man

But it dose not make my life any easier coz am international, most of the shop, i mean all across the country, you dont even expect to see an Morden Customshop L5, needless to say an vintage archtop is rare than diamond

Sad enough for me, my chances only relies on some experienced sellers online and try the best luck

Cheers Bro!

[Fred Archtop]

I've read somewhere (but where the heck? Could be René Duchossoir's books) that a major change between pre and postwar uncut L5s was the origin of the wood. Prewar tabletops were made out of apalachian spruce. During the war, all apalachian spruces were cut to support the war effort. Then postwar, other origins were used (maybe Sitka's spruce but I am unsure it was already Sitka).

I have such a sweeeet '40 L5 and an equivalently sweet '53 L5 but with cutaway. '40 L5 is clearly a four to the bar beast. '53 as a much narrower neck.

Best.

[rockincream]

I've read somewhere (but where the heck? Could be René Duchossoir's books) that a major change between pre and postwar uncut L5s was the origin of the wood. Prewar tabletops were made out of apalachian spruce. During the war, all apalachian spruces were cut to support the war effort. Then postwar, other origins were used (maybe Sitka's spruce but I am unsure it was already Sitka).

I have such a sweeeet '40 L5 and an equivalently sweet '53 L5 but with cutaway. '40 L5 is clearly a four to the bar beast. '53 as a much narrower neck.

Best.

Thanks for the kind info youve shared man ! very useful

I agree you will finds a sweet instrument just made all different eras, maybe always changes here n there

But I was really curious about how and when it changes, I followed Jonathan Stout and he said the L5 had some final mods after the 39, construction way I mean

Thx again